Up Close with Bill Nye

Bill Nye, science ambassador and CEO of The Planetary Society, was the Wednesday plenary speaker at the NAFSA 2018 Annual Conference & Expo in Philadelphia. Before his plenary, Nye joined NAFSA Board Member Joël Gallegos for an Up Close interview where he discussed why science education is more important than ever and how international education and exchange is vital in keeping the United States competitive in the global economy.

About Bill Nye

Bill Nye, as a scientist, author, and inventor, continues his mission to help people everywhere understand and value the importance of science in our world. A widely recognized and respected advocate for science, Nye is best known for his popular PBS television series, Bill Nye The Science Guy, which became one of the most-watched educational shows in the United States. Currently, he hosts Bill Nye Saves the World on Netflix, an original series focusing on exploring scientific issues that touch all our lives.

Nye travels across the country as an ambassador for science education working with multiple schools and education organizations and committees. He is also a passionate advocate for children’s safety and health and the important role education plays in raising the living standards of women and girls across the world. He frequently speaks out on the issue of climate change and the value of critical thinking and reasoning in today’s world. Nye serves as the chief executive officer of The Planetary Society, a nonprofit organization focused on space education and exploration.

He is a New York Times best-selling author of multiple books for children and general audiences, including Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation, Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World, and the recently published Everything All at Once: How to Unleash Your Inner Nerd, Tap into Radical Curiosity, and Solve Any Problem.

Nye holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University.